Economic Forum 2025

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025
10:30 AM Registration & Networking
11:30–1:00 PM Program
Luncheon | The Pfister Hotel – Grand Ballroom

About the Economic Forum
Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Economic Forum convenes the business community to hear a world-class expert explore an issue of importance to our economy followed by a panel of experts analyzing the issue through a local lens.

About the Event
Corporate Partnership Opportunities
Herb Kohl Service Award
Individual Tickets

Keynote Speaker

Yancey Strickler

Co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter, Author of This Could Be Our Future, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader

Yancey Strickler is a writer and the co-founder and former CEO of Kickstarter. Since introducing the world to crowdfunding a decade ago, Kickstarter has helped creative people raise more than $4 billion dollars. In 2015, Kickstarter became a Public Benefit Corporation, focusing the company’s mission on “altruism over profit,” as the New York Times wrote. A study by the Wharton School of Business found that Kickstarter projects created more than 300,000 full and part-time jobs. Strickler has been recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People. Viking Books published Strickler’s first book, “This Could Be Our Future: A Manifesto for a More Generous World” in October 2019.

In his keynote speech, Strickler will discuss the story of Kickstarter, from an ingenious idea and three friends to billions of dollars in funding for creative projects. He will take the audience through the experience, sharing the challenges and memorable moments from the journey. Strickler will then zoom out further, showing the exciting possibilities of a new way of thinking about value beyond just the bottom line.

Economic Forum 2025 Co-Chairs

Linda Gorens-Levey
Event Co-Chair

Linda Gorens-Levey is a Partner of General Capital Group. She is one of four co-chairs for this event and was instrumental in the growth of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s original Economic Forum series.

David Lubar
Event Co-Chair

David Lubar is President and CEO of Lubar & Co., a Milwaukee-based private investment firm that invests in middle market operating companies with a focus on long term growth. He is a board director of many philanthropic and private organizations.

Greg Marcus
Event Co-Chair

Gregory S. Marcus is president and CEO of The Marcus Corporation, a Milwaukee-based leader in lodging and entertainment. He is a director of many philanthropic and non-profit organizations in Milwaukee.

The capstone of our Corporate Partnership Program is our Economic Forum, a premier networking event with top Milwaukee business leaders that explores relevant issues of importance to the economic success of our city and region. The event is an effort to support our business community and help Milwaukee thrive. For 10 consecutive years, the Economic Forum has drawn a sellout crowd of 650 guests and over 50 corporate sponsors. The Forum is keynoted by a world-class expert. The Milwaukee Business Journal notes that “The Forum always draws a VIP crowd” and attracts the “who’s who of the local business community.” Long-standing event co-chairs are local business leaders Linda Gorens-Levey, David Lubar and Greg Marcus.

What is the Jewish Federation?

As a community leader, MJF focuses on the success and vibrancy of not only our local partner organizations, but all institutions in our great city of Milwaukee. We strive to preserve and strengthen the quality of life in greater Milwaukee, in Wisconsin, Israel and around the world through philanthropic, volunteer, and professional leadership. We care for our most vulnerable; stand up for diversity and inclusion; address urgent needs; invest in our partner agencies, as well as our own programs and services. 

We are part of a national movement — the Jewish Federations of North America — that has an impact in 70 countries. The combined financial contributions, fundraising efforts and impact of nationwide Jewish Federations places them at the highest echelon of global charitable institutions. 

By supporting the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, you are helping to stand up against all forms of hate and fighting antisemitism here in Milwaukee.

Corporate Sponsorships

Partnership Packages

Diamond $50,000

  • Video welcome message at Economic Forum event
  • Opportunity to present check at Federation board meeting
  • Product sampling at select events
  • Signage in Federation lobby
  • VIP opportunities and preferred seating at sponsored events
  • Hosting sponsor at any other event
  • Recognition from the podium at sponsored events
  • Exclusive sponsorship of our major donor events
  • Ads in Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle print and online at JewishChronicle.org
    • Full page print ad & digital banner on entire site
  • Additional event sponsorship
  • Complimentary tickets for sponsored events
  • Table at Economic Forum (10 seats)
  • Customized experiences catered to your business
  • Recognition in Milwaukee Business Journal
  • Networking with leadership, event attendees and customers
  • Recognition on Federation website event pages
  • Recognition on Federation website corporate sponsorship page (link to your site)
  • Recognition in annual report and on social media
  • Recognition in pre- and post- event communications

Platinum $25,000

  • Product sampling at select events
  • Signage in Federation lobby
  • VIP opportunities and preferred seating at sponsored events
  • Hosting sponsor at any other event
  • Recognition from the podium at sponsored events
  • Exclusive sponsorship of our major donor events
  • Ads in Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle print and online at JewishChronicle.org
    • Half page print ad & digital banner on home page
  • Additional event sponsorship
  • Complimentary tickets for sponsored events
  • Table at Economic Forum (10 seats)
  • Customized experiences catered to your business
  • Recognition in Milwaukee Business Journal
  • Networking with leadership, event attendees and customers
  • Recognition on Federation website event pages
  • Recognition on Federation website corporate sponsorship page (link to your site)
  • Recognition in annual report and on social media
  • Recognition in pre- and post- event communications

Gold $10,000

  • Ads in Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle print and online at JewishChronicle.org
    • 3 col x 6.75 print ad
  • Additional event sponsorship
  • Complimentary tickets for sponsored events
  • Table at Economic Forum (10 seats)
  • Customized experiences catered to your business
  • Recognition in Milwaukee Business Journal
  • Networking with leadership, event attendees and customers
  • Recognition on Federation website event pages
  • Recognition on Federation website corporate sponsorship page (link to your site)
  • Recognition in annual report and on social media
  • Recognition in pre- and post- event communications

Silver $5,000

  • Additional event sponsorship
  • Complimentary tickets for sponsored events
  • Table at Economic Forum (10 seats)
  • Customized experiences catered to your business
  • Recognition in Milwaukee Business Journal
  • Networking with leadership, event attendees and customers
  • Recognition on Federation website event pages
  • Recognition on Federation website corporate sponsorship page (link to your site)
  • Recognition in annual report and on social media
  • Recognition in pre- and post- event communications

LET’S CUSTOMIZE A CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP THAT FITS YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS!

Ryan Woloshin, Director of Corporate Partnerships, at 414-390-5774 or RyanW@MilwaukeeJewish.org

Melissa Rosenfeld, Development Coordinator, at 414-390-5789 or MelissaR@MilwaukeeJewish.org